Regulatory Challenges and Social Dynamics of Online Notary Practices: A Comparative Legal Study of Indonesia and Malaysia

Satrio Abdillah; Norhasliza Ghapa; Maheran Makhtar

doi:10.52496/mjhki.v4i1.46

Authors

Satrio Abdillah Sultan Zainal Abidin University Author
Norhasliza Ghapa Sultan Zainal Abidin University Author
Maheran Makhtar Sultan Zainal Abidin University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52496/mjhki.v4i1.46

Keywords:

Online Notary, Technology Adoption, Digital Transformation, Legal Framework, Regulatory Challenges, Cyber Notary Governance

Abstract

This study examines the social challenges and technology adoption processes in online notarial practices in Indonesia and Malaysia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed a qualitative approach, involving in-depth interviews and document analysis. The analysis tool used was NVivo 12 Plus for coding optimization. The novelty of this study lies in its cross-country comparative analysis, specifically examining the interrelationships between social dynamics, digitalization, and legal challenges in online notarial practices in Indonesia and Malaysia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a previously unstudied approach. The main findings of this study indicate that the transformation of notarial practices in Indonesia and Malaysia after the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly influenced by the interaction between social dynamics, digital literacy levels, and legal regulatory readiness. Indonesia faces challenges such as legal uncertainty, gaps in access to technology, and low trust in digital services. At the same time, Malaysia has demonstrated faster adaptation due to a clearer regulatory framework and greater acceptance of technology. Differences in legal systems (civil law and common law) also shape the flexibility with which online notarial practices can respond to digitalization, thereby affecting the validity, legitimacy, and sustainability of online notarial practices in both countries. The digital transformation of notarial practice demands greater legal certainty through clear, adaptable regulations to ensure the validity, security, and legitimacy of online notary services. Therefore, harmonizing cybernotary regulations and strengthening digital governance are necessary to ensure that technological innovation aligns with fundamental legal principles.

Author Biographies

Satrio Abdillah, Sultan Zainal Abidin University

Faculty of Law and International Relations, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
Norhasliza Ghapa, Sultan Zainal Abidin University

Sultan Zainal Abidin University, Malaysia
Maheran Makhtar, Sultan Zainal Abidin University

Sultan Zainal Abidin University, Malaysia

References

Al-Khalaileh, L, T Al-Billeh, and A Al-Hammouri. “The Legal Authority of the Electronic Authentication Certificate and Its Role in Proving E-Commerce Transactions.” International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics 17, no. 1–2 (2025): 267–82. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESDF.2025.143469.

Abdillah, Satrio, Norhasliza Ghapa, and Maheran Makhtar. “A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Malaysia on the Role of Notaries and Advocates.” Jurnal Usm Law Review 6, no. 3 (2023): 943. https://doi.org/10.26623/julr.v6i3.7853.

Agung, Muhammad Maghfur, Sukarmi Sukarmi, and RR. Imam Rachmad Sjafiie. “Certainty of Law for Notary Candidates in Regions That Establish the Large-Scale Social Restrictions in East Jakarta City.” Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat 21, no. 1 (2021): 69–80. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v21i1.8392.

Akbar, Muh, Fhad Syahril, and Nurhaedah Hasan. “Legal Analysis of the Application of Cyber Notary in the Notary Profession in Indonesia.” JULIA: Jurnal Legislasi Amsir 11, no. 2021 (2024): 352–58.

Almeida, João, and Ana Dias Daniel. “Post-Pandemic Opportunities for Low-Density Territories: Insights and Implications from Portuguese Case Studies.” European Planning Studies 31, no. 10 (2023): 2034–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2022.2074785.

Arif, Isa Anshari, and Nynda Fatmawati Octarina. “Urgency Of Cyber Notary Application In The Pandemic Of COVID-19 For The Need Of Authentic Deed.” YURISDIKSI : Jurnal Wacana Hukum Dan Sains 1, no. 1 (2020): 93–108.

Baldwin, Julie Marie, John M. Eassey, and Erika J. Brooke. “Court Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” American Journal of Criminal Justice 45 (2020): 743–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-020-09553-1.

Bhandari, Aarushi. “Gender Inequality in Mobile Technology Access: The Role of Economic and Social Development *.” Information Communication and Society 22, no. 5 (2019): 678–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2018.1563206.

Budiarti, Arsa Ilmi, Dio Ashar Wicaksana, and Nanda Oktaviani. “The Role of Technology in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Lesson Learned from Indonesia in Increasing Access to Legal Aid.” Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues 3, no. 1 (2023): 1. https://doi.org/10.19184/csi.v3i1.27710.

Budiono, Arief, Dewi Iriani, Martha Eri Safira, Rif’Ah Roihanah, Muhamad Noor, Neneng Uswatun Khasanah, and Ridwan Ridwan. “Legal Protection of Vaccine Administration Health Service to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Indonesia.” Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences 9 (2021): 1050–54. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.7460.

Calzada, Igor. “Postpandemic Technopolitical Democracy: Algorithmic Nations, Data Sovereignty, Digital Rights, and Data Cooperatives.” Contributions to Political Science, 2023, 97–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08608-3_6.

Caruso, Loris. “Digital Innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Epochal Social Changes?” AI and Society 33, no. 3 (2018): 379–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-017-0736-1.

Datta, Pratim, and Joseph K. Nwankpa. “Digital Transformation and the COVID-19 Crisis Continuity Planning.” Journal of Information Technology Teaching Cases 11, no. 2 (2021): 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/2043886921994821.

Dijck, José van, and Donya Alinejad. “Social Media and Trust in Scientific Expertise: Debating the Covid-19 Pandemic in The Netherlands.” Social Media + Society 6, no. 4 (2020): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120981057.

Emezue, Chuka N., Maithe Enriquez, Debbie S. Dougherty, Linda F. C. Bullock, and Tina L. Bloom. “Rural Young Males’ Acceptance & Receptiveness to Technology-Based Interventions for Dating Violence Prevention: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.” Journal of Adolescence 92 (2021): 137–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.08.012.

Fatmawati, Rahma Amir, Anggriani Alamsyah, and M. Ilham. “Transformation of Women’s Leadership in Pesantren from Fiqh Siyāsah Perspective: Social Dynamics in the Patriarchal Culture of South Sulawesi.” Samarah 8, no. 3 (2024): 1800–1817. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.18647.

Fore, Michael, and Erin Stevenson. “The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Overall Well-Being of Practicing Lawyers.” PLoS ONE 18, no. 3 March (2023): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282836.

Handoko, Rais Firdaus, and Budi Santosa. “Role of Notary in Capital Market: Making GMS Minutes Online During Covid-19.” Jurnal Akta 7, no. 4 (2020): 365. https://doi.org/10.30659/akta.v7i4.12893.

Hsia, Jung Wen. “Factors Influencing Elementary Teachers’ Satisfaction With Online Teaching in the Postpandemic Era in Central Taiwan.” Journal of Research in Education Sciences 69, no. 1 (2024): 69–97. https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202403_69(1).0003.

Ibrahim, Abdul Halil Hi, Tawakkal Baharuddin, and Marno Wance. “Bibliometric Analysis of E-Government and Trust : A Lesson for Indonesia.” Jurnal Borneo Administrator 19, no. 3 (2023): 269–84. https://doi.org/10.24258/jba.v19i3.1303.

Igamo, Alghifari Mahdi, Ryan Al Rachmat, Muhammad Ichsan Siregar, Mohammed Ibrahim Gariba, Vivian Cherono, Andi Sri Wahyuni, and Budi Setiawan. “Factors Influencing Fintech Adoption for Women in the Post-Covid-19 Pandemic.” Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 10, no. 1 (2024): 100236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100236.

Isabella, Alfitri, Ardiyan Saptawan, Nengyanti, and Tawakkal Baharuddin. “Empowering Digital Citizenship in Indonesia : Navigating Urgent Digital Literacy Challenges for Effective Digital Governance.” Journal of Governance and Public Policy 11, no. 2 (2024): 142–55. https://doi.org/10.18196/jgpp.v11i2.19258.

Isabella, Endy Agustian, Tawakkal Baharuddin, and Abdul Halil Hi Ibrahim. “Bridging E-Government With Digital Literacy: A Literature Review.” Journal of Governance and Regulation 14, no. 1 (special issue) (2025): 361–71. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i1siart12.

Jennings, Wesley G., and Nicholas M. Perez. “The Immediate Impact of COVID-19 on Law Enforcement in the United States.” American Journal of Criminal Justice 45, no. 4 (2020): 690–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-020-09536-2.

Khairandy, Ridwan, Abdul Halim Barkatullah, M. Khoirul Huda, Ariyanto, and Ari Yusuf Amir. “The Use of Electronic Media as an Innovation in Law by the Notary in Handling Agreement and Contracts: The Role of Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law in Indonesia’s E-Commerce.” International Journal of Applied Engineering and Technology (London) 4, no. 1 (2022): 128–34.

Khongsai, Lalgoulen, T. S. Shanghring Catherine Anal, Rapheileng A.S, Tomba Singh Kh, Md Kheiruddin Shah, and Digvijay Pandey. “Combating the Spread of COVID-19 Through Community Participation.” Global Social Welfare 8, no. 2 (2021): 127–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-020-00174-4.

Koos, Stefan. “The Digitization of Notarial Tasks - A Comparative Overview and Outlook of ‘Cyber Notary’ In Indonesia and Germany.” The Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies 2, no. 2 (2023): 1–28. https://doi.org/10.54828/ijsls.2023v2n2.1.

Latifian, D, B Baidhowi, P H Iierlambang, F R Winarno, and A Habiburrahman. “Can Advocates’ Legal Culture in Civil Law Enforcement Drive Reform in Indonesia’s Modern Justice System?” Journal of Law and Legal Reform 5, no. 3 (2024): 913–42. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v5i3.12988.

Lecouteux, Guilhem, and Léonard Moulin. “Cycling in the Aftermath of COVID-19: An Empirical Estimation of the Social Dynamics of Bicycle Adoption in Paris.” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives 25 (2024): 101115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2024.101115.

Legg, Michael. “The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Courts and Online Hearings: Maintaining Open Justice, Procedural Fairness and Impartiality.” Federal Law Review 49, no. 2 (2021): 161–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0067205X21993139.

Liu, Hongda, Haifeng Zhao, and Shiyuan Li. “Future Social Change of Manufacturing and Service Industries: Service-Oriented Manufacturing under the Integration of Innovation-Flows Drive.” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 196 (2023): 122808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122808.

Lois, F A L. “Mexican Notary Publics in the Fight against Money Laundering.” Mexican Law Review 14, no. 1 (2021): 173–86. https://doi.org/10.22201/IIJ.24485306E.2021.1.16096.

López Jiménez, David, Eduardo Carlos Dittmar, and Jenny Patricia Vargas Portillo. “The Trusted Third Party or Digital Notary in Spain: Effect on Virtual Transactions.” International Review of Law, Computers and Technology 36, no. 3 (2022): 453–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600869.2021.2004760.

Luo, Miyang, Dong Zhang, Pengyue Shen, Yun Yin, Shujuan Yang, and Peng Jia. “COVID-19 Lockdown and Social Capital Changes Among Youths in China.” International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 2021, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2021.17.

Mat, Bakri, Siti Darwinda Mohamed Pero, Ratnaria Wahid, and Babayo Sule. “Cybersecurity and Digital Economy in Malaysia: Trusted Law for Customer and Enterprise Protection.” International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering 8, no. 8 Special Issue 3 (2019): 214–20.

McCann, Adam. “Virtual Criminal Justice and Good Governance during Covid-19.” European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance 7, no. 3 (2020): 225–29. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134514-00703001.

McIntyre, Joe, Anna Olijnyk, and Kieran Pender. “Civil Courts and COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities in Australia.” Alternative Law Journal 45, no. 3 (2020): 195–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/1037969X20956787.

Michalakopoulou, K, A Nikitas, E T Njoya, and J Johnes. “Innovation in the Legal Service Industry: Examining the Roles of Human and Social Capital, and Knowledge and Technology Transfer.” International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation 25, no. 4 (2024): 248–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503221119667.

Moynihan, Andrew B., Ana Guinote, and Eric R. Igou. “Relational Dynamics and Meaning in Life: Dominance Predicts Perceived Social Support, Belongingness, and Meaning in Life.” Personality and Individual Differences 211 (2023): 112249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112249.

Ng, K H, and B Jacobson. “How Global Is the Common Law? A Comparative Study of Asian Common Law Systems - Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.” Asian Journal of Comparative Law 12, no. 2 (2017): 209–32. https://doi.org/10.1017/asjcl.2017.17.

Ong, Tze Chin, and Mei Fei Lee. “Competition Law in the E-Commerce Platforms Market Post-Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of the European Union, China, and Malaysia.” Law and Development Review, 2024, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1515/ldr-2024-0035.

Permadi, I. “Electronic Title Certificate as Legal Evidence: The Land Registration System and the Quest for Legal Certainty in Indonesia.” Digital Evidence and Electronic Signature Law Review 20 (2023): 47–61. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85166181964&partnerID=40&md5=026f9cc519bafdc10043a0af4b93e170.

Peruginelli, Ginevra, Sara Conti, and Chiara Fioravanti. “COVID-19 and Digital Library Services: An Overview on Legal Information.” Digital Library Perspectives 37, no. 1 (2021): 65–76. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-07-2020-0064.

Prima, Principia, Shafa Hayati, Nur Rahmat, and Jaenudin Umar. “Legal Analysis of the Notary ’ s Role in Protecting Client Personal Data.” The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights 3, no. 01 (2024): 49–62. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v3i01.

Saputra Hasibuan, E, and A Nur Rohman. “Scientific Crime Investigation and Police Reform in Indonesia: Integrating Technology, Law, and Islamic Ethics for Institutional Transformation.” Legal Transformation in Muslim Societies 2, no. 3 (2025): 18–36. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105023512076&partnerID=40&md5=7086c366f0993ba67a3e158ffe9ddecd.

Setiawan, Nurwanty, and Nynda Fatmawati Octarina. “Legal Uncertainty Over Notary Protocols in Law Number 43 of 2009.” Journal of Law and Legal Reform 3, no. 4 (2022): 543–66. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v3i4.58654.

Sujarwoto, Sujarwoto, and Gindo Tampubolon. “Spatial Inequality and the Internet Divide in Indonesia 2010–2012.” Telecommunications Policy 40, no. 7 (2016): 602–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2015.08.008.

Solovyanenko, N I. “Exercise of The Rights Of Individuals And Legal Entities In The Use of Electronic Signatures As A Condition Of Trust In The Digital Environment.” Gosudarstvo i Pravo 2022, no. 11 (2022): 192–96. https://doi.org/10.31857/S102694520022777-5.

Victoria, Ong Argo. “Comparative Study of Legal Requirements for Being a Notary and Duties & Authority of a Notary in Indonesia and Malaysia.” Sultan Agung Islamic University, 2023.

Wahab, Harlida Abdul, Siti Suraya Abdul Razak, and Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod. “Legal Issues in Working From Home Amid Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia.” UUM Journal of Legal Studies 13, no. 2 (2022): 163–86. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2022.13.2.7.

Wahyudi, Trubus, and Ong Argo Victoria. “The Comparison Notary in Indonesia & Malaysia with Two Differences Law System (Civil Law & Common Law).” Jurnal Akta 9, no. 4 (2022): 472–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.30659/akta.v9i4.28784.

Whitelaw, Sera, Mamas A. Mamas, Eric Topol, and Harriette G. C. Van Spall. “Applications of Digital Technology in COVID-19 Pandemic Planning and Response.” The Lancet Digital Health 2, no. 8 (2020): e435–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(20)30142-4.

Wong, Hua Siong, and Mohd Munzil Muhamad. “Electronic Signature and Attestation in Conveyancing Practice: A Malaysian Legal Perspective.” F1000Research 11 (2022): 325. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.73548.3.

Yates, Anne, Louise Starkey, Ben Egerton, and Florian Flueggen. “High School Students’ Experience of Online Learning during Covid-19: The Influence of Technology and Pedagogy.” Technology, Pedagogy and Education 30, no. 1 (2021): 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2020.1854337.

Yau, Jia Jun Gabriel, and Siow Hooi Tan. “The Kuznets Curve, Information and Communication Technology, and Income Inequality in Malaysia.” International Journal of Economics and Management 16, no. 2 (2022): 163–77. https://doi.org/10.47836/ijeam_16.2.02.